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Yes, it’s true that kids need a solid bedtime routine and schedule so that they are on track to get a good night’s rest. And some parents are great at handling these duties. Helping them brush, get into their pjs. Reading their favorite book or just soothing them until they fall asleep. Putting the kids to bed is a task and it isn’t for everyone. So if you find that you get extremely frustrated during bed time or just can’t handle the kids at the end of the day when you are exhausted and have been engaging with them all day, feel free to hand them over to your partner or a nanny. As they grow up, kids should also learn how to put themselves to sleep without your assistance. So, if you find yourself in a predicament and just can’t seem to get through bedtime, this is the article for you. Here are a few reasons why you, specially, don’t have to put your kids to bed. Read on to know more!
1. Your Partner May Be Better At It
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Sometimes moms just have a problem admitting that they find it hard to do something pertaining to the kids. After all, there’s so much pressure from society to be perfect at everything and everyone expects all aspects of motherhood to come naturally to a woman. But this is the furthest thing from reality most of the time. Taking care of your child is a skill that you learn. And you and your partner are bound to have different strengths and weaknesses. It’s okay if you can’t seem to get through bedtime with the kids. If this is your partner’s forte, they will be more than happy to take over. Besides, this will give them a chance to bond and spend quality time with each other. It’s okay to hand the kids over to your partner to take charge of every now and then.
2. The Kids Are Cranky
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One minute you’re dealing with an angel and the next second you’ve got a cranky little dictator who won’t take no for an answer. Bedtime can test even the most patient parent. Kids can be very needy and whiny when they are sleeping. And they all have different needs that they want you to see right away. One of your kids might need you to sit in their room until they fall asleep whereas another might need you to lie down next to them. Your little one might insist on sleeping right next to you throughout the night, which seems sweet until they kick your stomach all night long. You can’t possibly deal with all their demands. So, the best thing to do is either split up these duties or ask your oldest kids to put themselves to sleep, especially if they are past the toddler phase.
3. You May Be Anxious
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Some moms can’t deal with hearing and seeing their babies cry during the night. Kids want to be held and comforted when they go to sleep. And having to part with their parents even when they are exhausted can make them very upset. And seeing their kids in such a state can make moms give in to their demands or just make them even more anxious about bedtime. So, if you can’t bear to see your kids cry and throw a fit because they want to feel secure, we don’t blame you. You can walk away and let your partner handle it. They may have an easier time of it and you won’t have to feel anxious about them all night long. Eventually the kids will calm down and drift off to sleep.
4. They Need To Learn To Sleep On Their Own
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After a certain age, the kids do need to learn how to self soothe and sleep on their own. They can’t be dependent on you and white noise machines forever. And so, you need to draw the line and ensure that your kids are capable of putting themselves to sleep. You do this by giving them autonomy. If you’re hosting people or had a long day of work, inform your children that it’s bed time and ask them to get to bed. You can help them change if they request it, but otherwise, it’s up to them to go to bed at a reasonable time. Knowing how to sleep on your own is a skill that many adults struggle with. So ensuring that your kids learn it earlier on in life will save them the trouble of falling into a bad sleep schedule in the future.
Putting your kids to sleep may be an ordeal for you, but it might also be an enjoyable experience for your partner. It’s okay to let someone else take over and step back once in a while. As long as your kids fall asleep, your job is done!
Bedtime Relief: Skip Putting Your Kids to Bed
Watch to learn why you don’t have to handle bedtime yourself. Discover how sharing duties reduces stress and helps teach kids to sleep independently. Dive in now!
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